Machine-made tubular braid and process of making same



Dec. 22, 1936. R. w. HALE 2,064,974

MACHINE-MADE TUBULAR BRAID AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME Filed April 1, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 e2 WHayZe. 651; @4424 3% ya, W

Patented Dec. 22, 1936 PATENT OFFICE MACHINE-MADE TUBULAR BRAID AND PROCESS OF MAKING SAME Roger W. Hale, Rumiord, R. I.

Application April 1, 1936, Serial No. 72,069

4 Claims.

This application is a continuation as to common subject matter of my co-pending application Ser. No. 44,030, filed October 8, 1935 now Patent No. 2,036,805.

This invention relates to a machine-made, distinctly tubular braid.

In order that the principle of the invention may be readily understood, I have in the accompanying drawings disclosed two embodiments of such tubular braid and have sufliciently indicated the steps of manufacturing the same.

In the drawings,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, with the middle portion broken away, of a parallel sided leather piece or strip cut from a hide so as thereafter to be cut into strands;

Fig. 2 is a side elevation, with the ends broken away, of a single-unit strand of leather or other material, and indicating how the oppositely beveled ends of two original strands are secured together so as to make a single-unit strand of indefinite length;

Fig. 3 is a plan view somewhat diagrammatic to indicate what may be termed position No. l of the twelve strands used in making the distinctly tubular braid herein shown in certain figures, and the cooperating guiding or positioning means for the said strands near the braiding point;

Figs. 4 and 5 are somewhat diagrammatic views of twelve strands being braided together into a distinctly tubular braid and indicating at two different instants of time the lifting or drawing upwardly of over-strands to allow mating under-strands to be properly laid, said figures also showing the braid guide or former;

Fig. 6 is a side elevation with ends broken away of a tubular braid formed of twelve strands in accordance with my invention;

Fig. 7 is a view generally similar to Fig. 6 but on a larger scale and indicating the different strands as sufficiently separated or unbraided at one end for purpose of observation, so that the number of strands may be apparent;

Fig. 8 is a cross section of Fig. 7 and therefore indicating the distinctly tubular structure of the braid here shown as elliptical in cross section;

Fig. 9 is a plan view of the braid-guide or former shown in Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 10 is a side elevation thereof, the braid being shown in edge view as passing therethrough;

Fig. 11 is a view similar to Fig. 6 but of a distinctly tubular braid formed of six strands only; and

Fig. 12 is a cross section of Fig. 11, showing the circular character in cross section of said tubular braid.

In my Patent No. 2,020,683, dated November 12, 1935, I have disclosed means for mechanically making a braid of indefinite or indeterminate 5 length and with the same face of each strand always outermost. The braid herein claimed as an article of manufacture is a machine-made, distinctly tubular braid; it is of indefinite length, and it is of practically accurate uniformity in 10 diameter throughout with all the strands under the same uniform tension throughout the making of the braid.

In my co-pending application Ser. No. 44,030, filed October 8, 1935 now Patent No. 2,036,805, I 15 have disclosed and claimed an essentially solid, closely compacted braid, which is desirably composed of a relatively small number of strands, such, for example, as three or four. In Figs. 4,

5, 6 and 7, of said patent the number of strands is four, and concerning the braid of said patent the specification (beginning page 1, second column, line 1) says:

My braid is essentially or completely solid and of relatively small diameter, approximately that of the width of one of the strands. Otherwise stated, the diameter of the braid is substantially the minimum obtainable from the act of tightly braiding a plurality of strands into a substantially solid mass. Even if in the braiding operation an axial element be employed in making the braid, such element is of very small diameter and does not enlarge, or substantially enlarge, the minimum diameter of the braid.

It will be observed that the diameter of the hole or opening of the tubular braid is on the contrary of a marked size and is at least twice the width of any one of the strands, as is clearly evident from an inspection of Fig. 12. In the examples of the invention shown, the opening is in itself substantially three times the cross sectional extent of the material of the braid. In this application, I have disclosed and claimed a distinctly tubular braid not specifically claimed in said co-pending application Ser. No. 44,030 now Patent No. 2,036,805, but which is made desirably in the same general manner as the essentially solid, tightly compacted braid of said copending application, said braid herein claimed 5 being illustrated in Fig. 8 of said patent, but not being therein claimed. 1

The braid of my invention is an ornamental object of manufacture. As a final product, the braided surface is visible and exposed throughout substantially its entire extent. Thus, it is entireiy contrasted with braids of relatively large diameter formed as hollow articles, serving as conduits and the braided surface whereof is covered over with some other wrapping.

It is essential that each strand of the distinctly tubular braid herein claimed be maintained with the same face thereof always outermost, whether the strand be one of leather, thus having a flesh side and a hair side, or whether the strand, after being cut from a wider piece or strip, be folded along a lengthwise line upon itself, thus having intumed edges which meet or substantially meet in a so-called seam. In any event, it is essential to my present invention that all the strands be very tightly braided together into a distinctly tubular condition as contrasted with the essentially solid braid of, my Patent No.

2,036,805 and that they be kept at all times with the same face always outermost. For simplicity of description, I shall refer to one of the faces as the superior face and to the other as the inferior or opposite face.

While the braid may be made upon a number of different types of braiding machines, it is necessary to provide means close to the braiding point to rectify or correct the position of the several strands predeterminedly, so as thereby to prevent the leading edge of one of the strands from being displaced from its true position by another strand of the series.

The means employed to rectify or correct the position of the strands close to the braiding point so as to prevent displacement of any of the strands may be and desirably is such as shown in my said Patent No. 2,020,683, and reference is made thereto for full disclosure of the operation of the mechanism.

Inasmuch as in the first embodiment of my invention herein selected for illustration, I have shown a distinctly tubular braid composed of twelve strands, as contrasted with an essentially solid braid as disclosed and claimed in my said Patent No. 2,036,805, I have in Fig. 3 represented means to engage and control the position of twelve strands. It is, however, to be understood that the number of strands may be varied as desired from a minimum of six upward in making a distinctly tubular braid as contrasted with an essentially solid braid of four strands or less.

The braiding machine when making :a tubular braid of twelve strands is provided with twelve carriers moving in sets along contrasting or differentiated paths, preferably in the general manner disclosed in my said patent. My invention, however, is in no wise limited to the making of the tubular braid upon any particular type of braiding machine. It is necessary, however, whatever type of braiding machine be employed, that it be provided with means, as generically disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,020,683, to engage periodically and for brief, constantly repeated intervals the strands in close proximity to the braiding point, so as to prevent displacement of the strands from their true position because of contact with otherstrands of the series in the braiding action. While for said purpose any suitable means may be provided, I preferably provide the machine with a suitable number of upright rods or posts of the general character shown in said Patent No. 2,020,683 and indicated at l, I, etc. in Fig. 3. The said rods or posts are bent inwardly preferably each at an abrupt angle so that their upper ends are thus brought close to the actual braiding point of the machine. Each 01' said rods or posts is provided with a preferably rotatable portion withwhich the strands pertaining to that rod or post at any instant of time contact. Herein I have represented twelve disks or rolls 2, 2, etc. upon the outer ends of members 3, 3, etc. of reduced diameter suitably supported by said rods or posts I, as disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,020,683. Preferably also I provide a corresponding series of twelve rotatable disks 4, 4, etc. which function as disclosed in said Patent No. 2,020,683. The twelve strands, whichare hereinafter more fully referred to, are shown in Fig. 3 in their proper positions with respect to said parts at a given instant of time.

The braid formed of twelve strands may be formed as a braid circular in cross section but preferably it is formed as a flattened tube or one elliptical in cross section as hereinafter more fully described. My invention is not limited in this respect. Desirably I employ a braid-guide or former supported very slightly above the braiding point as represented in Figs. 4 and 5. The said guide or former is shown at 5 in Figs. 9 and 10. It is suitably secured to some part of the framing 6 of the machine, as by screw 1. The opening 8 therein for the passage of the braid is herein shown as elongated or substantially elliptical, but as already stated the cross sectional shape of the braid may be truly circular or elliptical or that of a substantially flattened tube, but in all embodiments of my. present invention the braid is distinctly tubular, as contrasted with the essentially solid braid of my Patent No. 2,036,805.

Any other suitable means for accomplishing the same purpose may be employed. It is to be understood that the number of strands used in making the tubular-braid of my invention may be varied. I may, for example, use a minimum number of six strands or a maximum number substantially in excess of the twelve strands herein shown in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive, but in all cases I use such a number of strands that the braid is distinctly tubular as contrasted with the essentially solid braid of my Patent No. 2,036,805.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, I have in Fig. 1 represented a piece or strip ll of leather with the middle portion broken away. The said piece or strip is parallel sided and has been cut from a hide from which the undesirable parts have been removed. It is important that in securing the parallel sided pieces or strips H they be cut from such portion of the hide as will provide braiding material of the best class. Desirably the pieces or strips II are about two inches in width. In Fig. 1, I have indicated by parallel lines i2 that the said piece or strip is to be cut into strands l3 of accurately uniform width. While, of course, the width of the strips I I may vary, I preferably so cut the said strips that each strand is from one sixteenth to one eighth of an inch in width, the thickness being usually .01 to .03 of an inch.

My invention is not limited to the making of the braid of any particular material as a large number of different materials may be used by me. I have, however, indicated the making of a braid of leather. In Fig. 2 is represented, with its end broken away, a part of what I term a singleunit strand I4. In order that the said strand, particularly when made of leather, may be of indefinite length, and inasmuch as leather pieces or strips are necessarily of a relatively short length, I preferably oppositely bevel two strands of leather as indicated at IS in Fig. 2 and adhesively secure them together by some suitable glue or other adhesive, and in such way that the flesh face of all the joined elements of the singleunit strand is at the same side. If, however, the material is originally manufactured in great lengths, it is unnecessary to splice strands together to make a single strand of the proper length.

The leather strands of indefinite or continuous lengths thus made by me are braided in a flat condition as strands of greater width than thickness and in the completed braid said strands are flat.

Within the scope of my invention, I may make the tubular braid of any desired or suitable number of strands, as, for example, from six to twenty or more, and I am not limited to the use of any particular number of strands, excepting that a minimum number of six is necessary in order to make a distinctly tubular braid to which my present invention is limited, as contrasted with an essentially solid, tightly compacted braid of small diameter, as more fully disclosed in my said application Ser. No. 44,030, now Patent No. 2,036,805.

However, in Figs. 6, 7 and 8, I have indicated a tubular braid composed of twelve strands, which strands I have respectively indicated therein and also in Figs. 3, 4'and 5 by the characters A to L inclusive. 4

It will be understood that each strand is substantially fiat and is parallel sided, thus being of practically uniform thickness and practically; uniform width throughout. It will also be understood that in forming the braid, the same face of each strand is always positioned outermost, so that the completed braid is devoid of any displacement or twisting of any of the strands at any part thereof. It will also be understood that each strand is laid smoothly and that the strands are all held constantly at substantially the same uniform tension, as described and explained in my said Patent No. 2,020,683, and that the resulting braid, as shown at H3 in Figs. 6, '7, 8, is of practically uniform dimensions throughout. This is true both of the braid when in a condition that is circular or elliptical in cross section as well as in a flattened tubular condition, whether the flattened condition occurs during the actual braiding operation or subsequent thereto. Obviously the completed tubular braid may be used in the trade either as a flattened tube or as a tube that is circular or elliptical in cross section.

I herein term the braid of my invention a machine-made braid. I believe it to be impossible to make by hand a braid of uniform diameter throughout that is tightly braided and all the strands whereof are preserved at all times under the same constant tension and wherein all the strands are predeterminedly laid with the same face always outermost.

When making the braid shown in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive, and which as already stated is composed of twelve strands A to L, inclusive, I employ twelve carriers which may be and preferably are of the general structure and have the mode of operation disclosed in my said Patent No. 2,020,683. Each of the said strands A to L proceeds from its own braiding carrier to the braiding point. At any instant of time, one half the strands function as under-strands and the other half as over-strands, the said under-strands almost immediately thereafter functioning as over-strands, and said over-strands then functioning as under-strands. In other words, each strand functions at one time as an under-strand and then as an over-strand, again as an understrand, and so on throughout the .entire braiding operation, which may be continued indefinitely. At a given instant of time, each of the strands A, C, E, G, I, K act as under-strands and strands B, D, F, H, J, L act as over-strands, with an immediate reversal of their said functions already stated.

Prior to my invention disclosed in my Patent No. 2,020,683, when it was attempted to braid flat strand material, the strands when functioning as over-strands would so engage one or more of the under-strands at the braiding point as to turn the leading edge of an under-strand upon itself, with the result that said under-strand gradually turned or become displaced more or less from its flat condition, being first slightly and then increasingly deflected from its true path, and thus was laid with the inferior face wholly or partially outermost for a longer or shorter period of time, instead of with the superior face always wholly outermost.

In making the distinctly tubular braid of my invention as herein claimed, I provide any suitable means to prevent the trailing edge of an over-strand from contacting with the leading edge of an under-strand in such way as to tend to cause the leading edge of the under-strand to be diverted from its proper direction or position.

This is preferably accomplished by drawing outwardly or lifting the over-strands so as to allow the mating under-strands not only to be laid with the superior faces always outermost, but in such a way as to allow all the under-strands to crowd tight into the vertex of the angle that is made by one or more of the over-strands and an axial member if the same be employed or an imaginary axis of the forming braid.

This action is clearly illustrated in Fig. 3 taken with Figs. 4 and 5, which latter two figures indicate positions turned ninety degrees from each other. The arrows adjacent each of the strands in Figs. 4 and 5 indicate the directions in which the respective strands are moving at the time.

In Fig. 4, the strands at that instant of time which are acting as under-strands are strands A, C, E, G, I, K, all of which are moving in a clockwise direction. The other strands (namely, B, D, F H, J, L) are at the same instant of time acting as over-strands and are moving in a contra-clockwise direction. In Fig. 5, just the contrary relation of the strands obtains, as is indicated by the direction of the arrows adjacent each of the strands that is shown.

Whatever means are employed for the purpose stated, it is desirably positioned in close proximity to the braiding point with the result that the proper position of all the strands of the braid is constantly maintained at the braiding point and a very tight braid is made. The said braid l6 made as described is of practically accurate uniform diameter throughout, all the strands being at all times maintained under the same tension, as described in my said Patent No. 2,020,683.

What I term the diamond or facet areas of the braid are indicated at I! in Figs. 6 and 7, and it is to be understood that in any two equal length portions of the braid there are the same number of diamond or facet areas, the angles of all the diamond or facet areas being respectively the same, as clearly indicated in Figs. 6 and 7.

Owing to the employment of exact and uniform tension on all the strands of the machine- 'it were attempted to make a similar hand-madebraid, a substantially exact equality of tension could not be maintained upon all the strands, and the result would be that the diamond or facet areas would not be symmetrically positioned but would be more or less askew or spiraled. This would detract from the appearance of the braid.

It is to be-understood that the braid herein disclosed and claimed is a distinctly tubular braid which in its completed state may be either circular or elliptical in cross section, or may be a substantially flattened tube, butthat the braid of my invention herein claimedis not an essentially solid braid. In making a braid with as many as twelve strands, as illustrated in Figs. 3 to 8 inclusive, the braid as formed is preferably though not necessarily elliptical or of a substantially flattened tubular form as illustrated in Fig. 8, wherein each of the strands is indicated by proper reference character. Such braid in the process of manufacture thereof desirably passes through a suitable braid-guide, such, for example, as the guide 5 of Figs. 4, 5, 9, l0, and the opening 8 of said guide determines or cooperates in determining the form in cross section assumed by the braid. If desired a core may be introduced into the braid as the same is being formed and for a braid such as shown in said figures, the. core would preferably be a fiat piece or element which may be supported in roll form at the lower part of the braiding machine and led in an axial direction up into the braid as the same is being formed. It, however, is not essential to my in.- vention that such a core or that any core be employed.

As hereinbefore stated, the number of strands of the tubular braid may be widely varied, the minimum number for such tubular braid being six. Such a braid is illustrated'at l8 in side elevation in Fig. 11 where the six strands are indicated as a, b, c, d, e, f. The said strands are desirably laid in precisely the same way as described with respect to the twelve strand braid I6, and it is unnecessary to describe the same again in detail. 'It is evident that at any, given instant of time the strands a, c, e, act as over strands and the strands b, d, ,f act as understrands, their function almost immediately reversing, as will be understood. Such a braid is desirably truly circular in cross section as indicated in Fig. 12. In making the braid l 6 of Figs. 11 and 12, I may provide a core member, but preferably I employ a wire such as indicated at 6| in my Patent No. 2,020,683, which wire extends upwardly from a suitable support and terminates preferably very slightly above the braiding point, so that the tubular braid that is being laid is constantly being drawn off the upper end of the wire, as fully explained in my said Patent No. 2,020,683.

In making a tubular braid, if an increase in the number of carriers be desired, so as to increase the number beyond six, the increase is preferably in even numbers or pairs, and not by single strands.

The means employed in making the six strand hollow braid l8 of Figs, 11 and 12 is desirably the same as for making the twelve strand braid IE to the extent that in each case each strand is provided with means such as indicated in Fig. 3 for controlling the position of the appropriate strandl 'or strands. Always the said parts act to lift or move outwardly or spread apart all the overstrands so as to permit all the under-strands at. that same instant to be crowded each up tight into the vertex that is at such instant formed by eachover-strand and the axis of the forming" strand related thereto .as the over-strand from which the danger of -displacement may come. Such under-strand and over-strand may be termed mating strands.

If I.do not employ an axial element in making the braid, or in any event, I may apply to the strands during braiding some material to cause ,the strands to adhere tightly throughout their length in their correct braiding position, as for example, some lacquer solution.

The several strands may be all of the same color or some or all of them may be contrastingly colored, as for example half of them white and half of them black. Very attractive braid patterns are thus made.

It is to be understood that if in the braiding operation, any one of the strands should break or run out from its spool or source of supply, the operative immediately applies a new end or strand in substitution therefor, which at once becomes wrapped in andthen quickly braided in properly with the other strands so that to all intents and purposes the braid is of uniform diameter throughout its entire length.

Having thus described two illustrative embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.

1. A machine-made, distinctly tubular braid of essentially uniform diameter throughout as contrasted with an essentially solid braid, and of the minimum diameter as a tube obtainable from the act of tightly braiding into substantially tubular form the series of strands composing the braid, without deformation or displacement of said strands, and which distinctly. tubular braid is unitarily made of great and unlimited length,

and substantially the entire surface whereof is visible and fully exposed in its ultimate form as an ornamental article of manufacture, the said distinctly tubular braid being composed of a series of parallel sided strands, eight or more in number, each strand being of greater width than thickness and each strand throughout the entire braid having the same face always outermost, and the edges each strand being at all portions thereof in the completed tubular braid undefiected and undisplaced from a truly flat condition by any strand contacting therewith, all of said strands being tightly braided throughout under uniform and equal tension into distinctly tubular form, so that in each unit of length throughout the braid there is substantially an equal number of exposed diamond shaped or facet areas of each strand whereof the corresponding angles of the diamond or facet are uniform throughout the braid, the said machine-made tubular braid having its axial opening of marked diameter, being in diameter at least substantially twice the width of any one of the strands of which the braid is composed.

2. A machine-made, distinctly tubular braid of essentially uniform diameter throughout as contrasted with an essentially solid braid, and of the minimum diameter as a tube obtainable from the act of tightly braiding into distinctly tubular form the series of strands composing the braid, without deformation or displacement of said strands, and which distinctly tubular braid is unitarily made in great and unlimited length, and substantially the entire surface whereof is visible and fully exposed in its ultimate form as an ornamental article of manufacture, the said distinctly tubular braid being composed ofa series of parallel sided strands, six or more in number, each strand being of greater width than thickness and each strand throughout the entire braid having the same face always outermost and the edges of each strand being at all portions thereof in the completed tubular braid undeflccted and undisplaced from a truly flat condition by any strand contacting therewith, all of said strands being tightly braided throughout under uniform and equal tension into distinctly tubular form, so that in each unit of length throughout the braid there is substantially an equal number of exposed diamond shaped or facet areas of each strand, whereof the corresponding angles of the diamond shaped or facet areas are substantially uniform throughout the braid, each strand of the braid consisting of a multiplicity of like members united into a single unitary strand by mating ends secured together, the said machinemade tubular braid having its axial opening of marked diameter, being in diameter at least sub stantially twice the width of any one of the strands of which the braid is composed.

3. A machine-made, distinctly tubular braid of essentially uniform diameter throughout as contrasted with an essentially solid braid, and of the minimum diameter as a tube obtainable from the act of tightly braiding into substantially tubular form the series of strands composing the braid, without deformation or displacement of said strands, and which distinctly tubular braid is unitarily made in great and unlimited length, and substantially the entire surface whereof is visible and fully exposed in it ultimate form as an ornamental article of manufacture, the said distinctly tubular braid being composed of a series of parallel sided strands, twelve or more in number, each strand being of greater width than thickness and each strand throughout the entire braid having the same face always outermost, and the edges of each strand being at all portions thereof in the completed tubular braid undefiected and undisplaced from a truly flat condition by any strand contacting therewith, all of said strands being tightly braided throughout under uniform and equal tension into distinctly tubular form, so that in each unit of length throughout the braid there is an equal number of exposed diamond shaped or facet areas of each strand, whereof the corresponding angles of the diamond or facet areas are uniform throughout the braid, the said machinemade tubular braid having its axial opening of marked diameter, being in diameter at least substantially twice the width of any one of the strands of which the braid is composed.

4. A machine-made, distinctly tubular braid of essentially uniform diameter throughout as contrasted with an essentially solid braid, and of the minimum diameter as a tube obtainable from the act of tightly braiding into distinctly tubular form the series of strands composing the braid, without deformation or displacement of said strands, and which distinctly tubular braid is unitarily made in great and unlimited length and substantially the entire surface whereof is visible and fully exposed in its ultimate form as an ornamental article of manufacture, the said distinctly tubular braid being composed of a series of parallel sided strands, six or more in number, each strand throughout the entire braid having the same face always outermost, the edges of each strand being at all portions thereof in the completed tubular braid undefiected and undisplaced from a truly fiat condition by any strand contacting therewith. the said machine-made tubular braid having its axial opening of marked diameter, being in diameter at least substantially twice the width of any one of the strands of which the braid is composed.

ROGER W. HALE. 

